Intercollegiate Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine

Advice For Candidates

Educational Training Record and Expanded Case Summaries

The aim of the Educational Training Record (ETR, previously "Log Book") is to provide evidence of wide clinical exposure and to allow Examiners to discuss a variety of aspects of patient care etc. revealed by the cases with which you have had significant involvement.

In choosing each expanded case summary, it is expected that you will have used each one to study or demonstrate some aspect of a patient's clinical problem in-depth. The Examiner will review the expanded cases in this manner and will expect an awareness of the literature relating to the main problem identified by each "report". An example of the standard and format is given in the part completed example of an ETR.

1. The expanded case history should examine some aspect of the patient's clinical problem in-depth.
2. Candidates must discuss their selected cases with their Educational Supervisor to establish that they are suitable for inclusion.
3. Each case study should examine a different clinical problem, and not describe the same problem beginning from a different aspect. For instance, ten in-depth discussions of similar haemodynamic findings found in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome would not be acceptable, even though on each occasion the patient, insult and outcome were different.
4. Case reports require a clear but simple structure. The report should be clearly focused, providing in-depth discussion rather than a general overview. It should aim to demonstrate how the patient has led you to review and re-think your views of the particular problem. The subheadings are:


• Clinical problem
• Relevant management
• Further information
• How would you change you future management
• References


5. It is helpful to provide relevant details of the chemical pathology, haematology , haemodynamic findings etc. Photographs etc. of images may be of use to illustrate a particular point
6. Expanded case summaries should be approximately 1000 words.
7. For each expanded case summary, references should be given, (if applicable). They should be limited to five.
8. Candidates are advised to consult their Educational supervisor to ensure that the reports have demonstrated adequate intellectual rigour.
9. The Board of Examiners advises that Candidates ensure that they make full use of the advice given to them by their Educational Supervisor, who should be fully aware of the candidate's progress.
10. Should a candidate fail to reach an adequate standard, his Educational Supervisor will be given details of the general areas which the Board viewed as in need of attention. A more detailed assessment is made available to the Regional Advisor.